HC prevents priest brought by headman

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has prevented the priest brought by the headman of Nartiang to perform puja against the wishes of the majority of the residents.
During the hearing on the matter on Tuesday, K Paul, appearing on behalf of the petitioners brought to the notice of the court that there was a meeting on Sunday between the deputy commissioner of West Jaintia Hills District and the superintendent of police along with the villagers of Nartiang and in response, the villagers filed a representation on Monday containing the signatures of 900 people.
In the letter, it was mentioned that the signatories have decided that the Durga Puja at Nartiang temple, will be conducted by Oni Maskut Deshmukh, the permanent priest of the temple and sought necessary assistance in this regard for successful celebration of Durga Puja.
The counsel for the petitioners also brought to the notice of the court that puja was going on peacefully till 10.30 pm on Monday until the headman brought another priest, Swappon Bhattacharjee, and as a result, people got agitated forcing the police to lathi charge and ultimately, many people, including police personnel, were injured.
“I could not understand when the people of Nartiang village had selected Oni Maskut Deshmukh as their priest, what was the necessity of the headman to bring another priest, Swappon Bhattacharjee”, Justice SR Sen, who was hearing the case, observed.
This was in total violation of the order on October 9 as well as the desire of the local people, he said. Hence, the court directed that since Puja has already started, it should continue in a peaceful and pious manner and other rituals be conducted as per the desire of the people of Nartiang village.
The deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police have been directed to ensure strictly that the headman should not bring his own priest and create law and order problems.
“If the headman and the priest, Swappon Bhattacharjee or any other person unnecessarily create problem, they should be put behind bar to ensure that Puja is performed in a pious and proper manner,” the judge said.
The deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and the headman will have to be present during the hearing on November 1.